What make/model car would you choose to drive to ski resort?

I'm after some more advice about my planned 12-week sojourn in the Alps this winter.

My Vauxhall Corsa just isn't going to be comfortable enough and needs replacing anyway - but with what?

The 'new' vehicle will be second-hand and needs to be suitable for city driving after my return (so nothing too big, not looking for a big 4WD). I'm not looking to drive far when in the resort - maybe to the lifts, and certainly to pick up shopping outside the resort (still haven't decided where I will end up).

My budget is around £5-6k and I will look to buy privately (highish mileage isn't a deterrent if I can find something with a good service history and with decent fuel economy, probably diesel).

So, what would be your vehicle of choice within those parameters? An Audi A3 is a possibility.Thanks

You are correct something light and 4wd . That's what you see a lot of in the mountains and spend £500 on good quality snow tyres. Good luck looking for you car not a lot about in the uk might be worth looking at lhd !

All the best

Touring body shape skoda. I would not get hung up about 4wd or not, am not sure it is of any read advantage on roads. Just make sure you get winter tyres.

I'd be thinking about real practicalities.
Somewhere for skis? Long enough hatchback or estate to throw them in for a short journey? Easier than a roof rack.
Also; tyres - suitable for chains? Might only need chains once but when you do.....
And endorse other comments about snow tyres - a no brainer.

I use an Audi A4 Avant Quattro and have never had any issues so far in the mountains. I have a set of wheels with winter tyres which also allow me to fit chains if required (standard wheels do not have enough clearance for chains on my model), so far in the past 9 trips I have never needed to fit the chains.

Subaru Impreza Wagon - your budget will get you a nice one; you'll have as much fun on the roads as on the mountains then... and you won't look like a sales rep on holiday... 8)

Personally, I'd be wary of high-mileage diesels; you may be trading reliability for the lower fuel consumption and if you do get a big bill then all that fuel saving will be for nowt. Just MHO. In general, petrol engined equivalents are a little cheaper to buy.

As the others have said, good winter tyres are a must - or one of the latest all-season tyres that come with the snowflake symbol. With winter tyres the drive-chain's less important but 4WD will occasionally give you the edge and get you going where you might need chains otherwise. Marginal though.

As for cars, if you don't fancy an Impreza then you could add a Golf Syncro to your list or a Panda 4x4 if you're immune to ridicule... :lol: Mazda has a variant of the 6 with 4WD, and the Subaru Legacy saloon might be worth a look if you don't want to go to an estate.

So, you've got some choices there... 8)

To actually answer the question in the OP; Legacy Touring.

Most recently have driven Range Rover, no issues.

In my seasons, I had a Ford Transit rear wheel drive, no snow tyres, rarely used chains. Thankfully, there is legislation in place now.

I certainly SKITEd about!!!

More seriously, think about a range of cars you would prefer to use in the UK, and then look at which of those may fit best to Alpine activity.

Just avoid BMWs or anything rear wheel drive, but especially BMWs, or Range Rovers and similar class so called 4x4's as they're really difficult to stop once you get a lick on.

Golf TDi or A3, but for similar money go for a larger Audi A4 or better still VW Passat estate.

Diesels every day of the week, don't worry about this emissions lark. High mileage diesels can be an issue if they haven't got FSH but generally with the 2.0 VAG drivetrain you will not go wrong.